Raikkonen to test for Sauber in Abu Dhabi

Raikkonen to test for Sauber in Abu Dhabi

Kimi Raikkonen will test for Sauber during next week’s Pirelli tire test in Abu Dhabi, team principal Frederic Vasseur has confirmed.

The Finn is joining Sauber in 2019 on a two-year contract, with this weekend’s race at the Yas Marina Circuit his final one for Ferrari. With all the teams getting to test next year’s tires over two days on Tuesday and Wednesday, Vasseur confirmed Raikkonen has been allowed to start work immediately with his new team.

A number of other drivers will also be in new cars, with RACER understanding Lance Stroll will finally make his Force India debut despite the team having yet to officially confirm him as a race driver next year. His former team Williams will also run both George Russell and Robert Kubica, while Charles Leclerc is expected to begin work with Ferrari.

More Formula 1!

Current Renault driver Carlos Sainz will get his first taste of McLaren machinery as he shares testing duties with 2019 teammate Lando Norris, although Red Bull is unlikely to allow Daniel Ricciardo to make his Renault debut in Sainz’s place.

With Pierre Gasly set to carry out testing for Red Bull next week, Daniil Kvyat will begin work with Toro Rosso by driving on Wednesday ahead of his return to the team in 2019, having been continuing work with Ferrari up until this point of the season.

Chris Medland

While studying Sports Journalism at the University of Central Lancashire, Chris managed to talk his way into working at the British Grand Prix in 2008 and was retained for three years before joining ESPN F1 as Assistant Editor. After three years at ESPN, a spell as F1 Editor at Crash Media Group was followed by the major task of launching F1i.com’s English-language website and running it as Editor.
Present at every race since the start of 2014, he has continued building his freelance portfolio, working with international titles. As well as writing for RACER, he contributes to BBC 5Live and Sky Sports in the UK as well as working with titles in Japan and the Middle East.